The Women’s Super League 2026/27 season
By Girls on the Ball
Key contenders for the title and Europe
The destination of the title is genuinely hard to call even though it feels like three teams possess a clear advantage over others in the race for Europe (the top two finishers qualify automatically, while third enters the Champions League qualification process).
Manchester City remain the benchmark. Andrée Jeglertz enjoyed a debut season to remember as he guided City to their first title in nearly a decade. With the incomparable Bunny Shaw leading the way, they outscored their opponents with 62 goals last time out (Arsenal were second with 53), registering 58.6 xG (to Arsenal’s 48.4) and creating 102 big chances. However, they have done less business than their opponents with just three new faces and concerns remain with Vivianne Miedema ruled out of the start with a knee injury.
Every year, there are questions over whether Arsenal can finally make a charge. There is no doubt that they have the squad to do so. The arrival of Georgia Stanway, Géraldine Reuteler, and Ona Batlle add both experience and quality. In seasons gone by, they have been punished for a lack of ruthlessness and slow starts. Reneé Slegers’ team were defeated just once in the league last year but recorded six draws, something they need to cut out if they are to seriously compete.
Hurting from the disappointment of last year, Chelsea are going through a rebuild under Sonia Bompastor but still possess the pedigree to mount a significant challenge. Two of Chelsea’s three defeats last time out came against their title rivals. If they can swing that balance in their favour and become more clinical, they have a real opportunity.
The race for fourth: teams at a crossroads
While the conversation around fourth place is a bit of a construct – no one actually gets any rewards for it – it is a barometer for the team most capable of challenging the big three.
A lot of praise for this should be at Manchester United’s door. Despite only gaining promotion in 2019, they have consistently been in the top four mix, competing in the Champions League at the expense of Manchester City last season.
The club, however, have had a turbulent time away from the pitch with big questions emerging about the willingness of the owners to finance the women’s team. Marc Skinner, who had frequently called for more investment, departed by mutual consent over the summer. Eva Olid, a young Spanish manager, was named as his replacement with the club reportedly focusing on the development on their younger players. This has been reflected in their transfer dealings during this window.
By contrast, London City Lionesses have been big spenders with some of the biggest stars in the game joining over the summer. The arrival of proven winners Alexia Putellas, Kadidiatou Diani, and Mapi León is a clear signal of Michele Kang’s intentions for her club.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have the opportunity to build on their impressive progress in Martin Ho’s first campaign to try and put themselves firmly in the mix. Brighton have similarly developed into an ambitious side, both on and off the pitch, but a late change in manager – Arturo Ruiz replaced the departing Dario Vidošić just a week before the start of the season – has raised questions around what can feasibly be expected.
Three new teams freshen things up
The expansion to 14 teams means the league has three new faces. Birmingham City and Crystal Palace both secured automatic promotion from WSL 2 while Charlton Athletic claimed the final place through a dramatic play-off.
The ask is a big one. As Crystal Palace found out just two seasons ago, the step up is significant and you cannot afford to be naive about it. Those lessons from that campaign should be a firm base for Jo Potter’s side going forward.
Birmingham City will feel that they are finally back where they belong, having spent the last four years in the second tier. The support has been there from the club’s owners allowing Amy Merricks to overhaul her squad and build one she feels is capable of competing at the top.
Charlton, another team with a deep history in the game, have perhaps had a slower summer in terms of spending with Karen Hills keeping faith in many of her established team. The foundations of last year’s success were a solid defence and they will be hoping that those principles will help them avoid heading straight back down.
With automatic relegation returning for the side who finishes last and the 13th-place finisher having to go through a promotion/relegation play-off, at least one of these new teams will survive their first year in the top flight.
New faces to look out for…
The summer transfer window has been one of the busiest on record with clubs using the quiet, major tournament-free summer to replenish, and regenerate their squads.
Alexia Putellas will no doubt go down as the most high-profile addition to the league. A global superstar, the Spanish midfielder arrived at London City from Barcelona a two-time Ballon d’Or winner with 10 Liga F trophies and on the back of her fourth Champions League win. That’s not to mention what she has achieved on the international stage. A prolific scorer and a natural leader, she could have a huge influence on London City’s ability to hit the ground running.
A very familiar face has returned to England. Georgia Stanway is back in the WSL after four successful years in the Frauen Bundesliga with Bayern Munich. The England star brings much needed quality to Arsenal’s midfield that has been low on depth in recent seasons. Her presence should help ease the pressure on Kim Little in the twilight of her career and allow Mariona Caldentey to be more creative.
Everton have secured the signature of 23-year-old Holly McNamara from Melbourne City. After several years of injury, the forward has shone in the A-League, securing the Golden Boot for the last two seasons running, and broken into the senior Australia setup. A natural goal scorer, she has all the potential to make a real impact to the Toffees’ front line.
Liverpool announced the signing of Vivien Endemann in April, that keen to get the German forward through the door. With her explosive speed, the 24-year-old is a huge threat on the transition and a strong addition to the squad Gareth Taylor is continuing to build.
Finally, Giulia Dragoni is one of the most high-profile young stars in the game. The 19-year-old signed for Chelsea from Barcelona to bolster their attacking presence. The Italian went to her first World Cup at the age of 16 and has impressed with her technical ability and composure in the midfield area.
(Images from IMAGO)
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